SILVER SPRING, Md. – The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially began last week, but the weather remains more suited for ice skating than flowers.

While disappointed tourists look for buds around the Tidal Basin this year, some locals are bundling up for winter and lacing up their skates.

“The season usually ends around St. Patrick’s Day,” says Nino Morelli, one of the managers at Silver Spring Ice Skating Rink. “But due to the weather this year and the high demand for skating, we decided to stay open a little bit longer.”

The projected high temperature on Monday is 37, which is chillier than New Year’s Day.

For comparison, the overnight low temperature was 54 degrees exactly one year ago, and the cherry blossoms had reached their peak on March 20. This year, the blossoms are expected to reach peak bloom in early April.